With the injuries that saw both men miss a hefty chunk of the first third of the season now fully behind them, Toomua and Tuilagi will continue to fine-tune their partnership during two rounds of European matches, starting with the trip to Castres this weekend.

And that prospect is something that the Wallaby is very much looking forward to.

“It’s great to have Manu back,” said Toomua.

“Everyone always talks about him because he is such a good player, so it is exciting when you see him next to you on the pitch.

“I would rather have him on my team than with the opposition and most people in the world would agree with that.

“He has put in a string of 80-minute performances back-to-back now and that is a big jump for him.

“He will build and build. He has still got that spark and, over time, his timing will improve too.

“Our partnership needs to build on the pitch and the more time we spend together, it will start to click.”

Big things are expected of the Tuilagi and Toomua centre partnership

Read More

As usual, Tigers will have no idea what to expect from a French side across the Channel this weekend, who could decide to put more of their oeufs into their domestic league basket than pursue unlikely European qualification, with Munster clear favourites in Pool 4.

Toomua says that whatever Castres – or any other team – bring on the day, Tigers have to get better at adapting to different approaches on the pitch.

“Teams have been smart against us. Exeter were defending us across the park, but Munster did the opposite and went really hard at the ball,” said the 28-year-old.

“In the decision-making role, you have to have guys there speaking about it and changing things on the pitch. That is tough, but it is something you have to be good at.

“Coaches can call it all they want, but you get a feel for it as players.

“You try to problem-solve out there and that is what makes rugby quite exciting. You have to alter things as you see it.”